Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a low-growing, aromatic perennial sub-shrub prized for its mat-forming growth habit. It creates a dense, fragrant carpet of tiny leaves, typically staying less than four inches tall. Gardeners often use it as a living ground cover, particularly for filling the narrow seams between stone pathways and patio pavers. Its ability to tolerate light foot traffic and release a pleasant herbal scent when stepped on makes it a popular choice for softening hardscape elements.
Retail Sources for Creeping Thyme
Local, independent garden centers and nurseries often provide the highest quality plants and personalized guidance. These specialized retailers typically stock cultivars suited to the specific regional climate and can offer expert advice on soil preparation and variety selection. While prices may be higher than other options, the benefit lies in the health of the plants and the depth of knowledge provided by the staff.
Large retail chains and big box stores, such as home improvement centers, offer a convenient purchasing option. These retailers generally carry creeping thyme seasonally, stocking the most common varieties during the peak spring and early summer planting windows. Purchasing from a big box store often results in significant cost savings, especially for large projects, although the selection of specialized cultivars may be limited. Availability is often restricted to the warmer months, and the plants may receive less consistent horticultural care compared to a dedicated nursery.
Dedicated online retailers and specialty mail-order nurseries provide the greatest selection of creeping thyme cultivars, including rare varieties not found locally. These vendors specialize in shipping live plants or seeds directly to the consumer, offering convenience for bulk orders or for gardeners in remote areas. When ordering plants online, check the shipping schedule, as these companies often ship based on the optimal planting window for the customer’s USDA Hardiness Zone. Wholesale growers are also an option for projects requiring hundreds of starter plants, offering significant economies of scale.
Choosing the Right Buying Format
Creeping thyme can be purchased in three formats, each providing a different balance of cost, establishment speed, and effort required. Seeds represent the most economical option for covering large areas, but they require the most patience and effort for establishment. Thyme seeds are very small and must be kept consistently moist for successful germination, which can take up to three weeks and often leads to competition from fast-growing weeds. A fully established ground cover may take two to three seasons when started from seed due to the plant’s slow growth rate.
Starter plugs, which are small plants grown in trays with established root systems, offer a faster path to coverage at a moderate cost. These young plants are ideal for filling in large spaces, such as a lawn alternative, as they establish quickly once transplanted into the garden. Plugs reduce the initial waiting period and vulnerability to weeds associated with seed-starting, typically allowing for a dense mat within one to two growing seasons.
Established potted plants, usually sold in small four-inch containers, provide the most immediate visual impact. These plants are ready to be placed directly into the landscape, offering instant density and flowering in the first season. They are the most expensive option on a per-plant basis. This format is best suited for smaller projects, such as tucking plants into the crevices of a stone walkway or for use in containers.
Popular Varieties and Selection Criteria
Selecting the appropriate creeping thyme variety depends on its intended use, particularly considerations like desired height, flower color, and tolerance for foot traffic. For pathways that receive regular walking, ‘Woolly Thyme’ (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a favored choice due to its dense, fuzzy, low-growing mat that rarely exceeds one inch in height. Its gray-green foliage and soft texture create a distinctive look, though its light pink flowers are often sparse compared to other cultivars.
If the goal is a striking floral display, varieties like ‘Red Mother of Thyme’ (Thymus serpyllum ‘Coccineus’) or ‘Pink Chintz’ are excellent options. ‘Coccineus’ is notable for its vibrant magenta-red blooms that create a blanket of color across the foliage in early summer, while ‘Pink Chintz’ offers a softer salmon-pink hue. For gardeners seeking a miniature appearance, ‘Elfin’ thyme forms compact cushions that are extremely low to the ground and is perfect for small gaps between pavers.
Before finalizing a purchase, confirm the plant’s hardiness based on the local climate and the specific cultivar’s needs. Most creeping thymes are hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, but certain decorative varieties may have a slightly narrower range. Checking the botanical name and the plant tag ensures the chosen cultivar is suited to the site conditions, including sun exposure and drought tolerance. Many varieties thrive in full sun and well-drained, even rocky soil.
Optimal Timing for Purchase and Planting
The best time to purchase and plant creeping thyme is during periods of moderate temperatures to minimize transplant shock and encourage root establishment. Early spring, as soon as the soil becomes workable after the last hard frost, is the ideal window for planting. This timing allows the young plants a full season of growth before the stress of summer heat or the onset of winter dormancy.
An alternative planting window is early fall, approximately four to six weeks before the first expected frost. The cooler temperatures and typically increased rainfall of autumn provide excellent conditions for roots to settle in without the risk of scorching. Purchasing plants during the fall season can sometimes yield cost savings, as nurseries and garden centers may offer end-of-season clearance prices to reduce inventory.
While live plants should be purchased and placed during these favorable windows, seeds and plugs ordered online can be acquired at any time of year. If a purchase is made during the winter or the height of summer, the plants must be kept in a protected environment until the seasonal conditions are right for transplanting outdoors.